Why

The Lion Sands Game Reserve is a world renowned Big 5 safari reserve, known firstly for unforgettable wildlife sightings and secondly for the level of quality of the  luxury lodges on the reserve.

This private game reserve has 4 luxury lodges situated on the reserve. Whilst the 5 star rating is common amongst the lodges, the experiences at each are unique. In 2019, Conde Naste voted Lion Sands Game Reserve as one of the top 20 resorts in Africa, solidifying the reserve as a must-visit for anyone looking for that special experience on the continent.

The private status of the reserve translates perfectly to the exclusivity of the safari experience for guests. The only game drives taking place on the reserve are those that depart from one of the four luxury lodges. With full traversing rights across the private reserve and world class game rangers, the safari experience is unparalleled.

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Highlights:

- Highly trained guides

- Big 5 safari experience

- Quiet & exclusive game driving

- Walking safaris

When

Best time to visit Lion Sands Game Reserve is during the dry winter season, as temperatures remain comfortable and you can view a cluster of animals near water sources. The dry winter season is from May to September.

The Dry season, from June to September, is the best time for wildlife viewing. Highly recommended are the months of August and September as temperatures are warmer than in mid-winter. It is also the end of a long, dry period and this causes the animals to congregate around known water sources, making sightings even easier.

Where

Lion Sands Game Reserve is the only private reserve to have a foot in both the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Kruger National Park.
The Sabi Sand Reserve is the oldest of South Africa’s private reserves, and the origin of wildlife tourism in Southern Africa. It is home to a vast natural animal population including The Big Five and countless other species (some of which are critically endangered).

Flanking the Kruger National Park, animals pass unhindered between the unfenced reserves. Known for its extraordinary leopard viewing, safari enthusiasts could not find a better place for close-contact animal sightings that many would insist are the best in the world.

The Sabi Sand Reserve (Sabi Sand Wildtuin) shares a 50km (31.25 miles) unfenced border with the Kruger National Park. This extraordinary and unique wilderness area comprises a collection of privately owned game reserves which combine to form a mammoth tract of pristine game land (65 000 hectare/ 153 000 acres).

Being privately owned, safaris are not restricted to specific times and routes. Open vehicles are able to traverse off road and into the dense bush, tracking animals in their natural habitat.

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